Foreign Minister Sven Mikser (SDE) and the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, discussed Britain’s exit from the European Union and the increased presence of allies in Estonia at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on Friday.

Mikser emphasized that Estonia respects the decision of British citizens to leave the EU and the British government's steps in carrying out the decision. "It is in the interests of both the EU and the UK to reach the best possible result in two years. Estonia supports continuing strong and close cooperation," the Estonian minister said.

"We assume that substantive exit negotiations will start in June, before the Estonian presidency of the EU Council. Estonia aims to keep the 27 member states aligned and to reach an agreement on preserving the rights of citizens living and working in the UK as soon as possible and according to the reciprocity principle," Mikser said.

The ministers also affirmed they have a common understanding of the security situation. "We are very thankful for the UK's assistance in ensuring the security of the region. Contributing to increased presence of NATO allies will both strengthen our long-term and close defense cooperation as well as help defend regional stability," the Estonian minister said.

Mikser offered his condolences to Johnson on the recent terrorist attack in London and affirmed that Estonia will support Britain and other allies in the fight against terrorism.

The Reform Party's parliamentary group in the Riigikogu decided on Monday to support Kalle Laanet's candidacy for the position of deputy speaker. This means that the group has turned on party chairman Hanno Pevkur, who will have to make way for Laanet. The decision follows yet another weekend of bickering and conspiracy theories inside Estonia's leading opposition party.